Fayose still has a case to answer — EFCC

Mr. Ayodele Fayose

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission has described media reports that it had dropped corruption case against the governor-elect of Ekiti State, Mr. Ayodele Fayose, as untrue.

The agency’s Head of Media and Publicity, Mr. Wilson Uwujaren, told Punch correspondent on Monday that the recent election of Fayose had not affected the ongoing trial of the governor-elect at the Federal High Court, Ado-Ekiti, for alleged corruption.

Uwujaren said that the case would come up for hearing on July 15, 2014, adding that the immunity clause in the Constitution only applied to the President, the Vice President, sitting governors and their deputies, and not governors- elect.

He said, “The EFCC has not dropped the case against the former Governor of Ekiti State, Mr. Ayodele Fayose.

“The trial is still going on; it is continuing at the Federal High Court, Ado-Ekiti. In fact further hearing comes up on July 15, 2014.

“As you know, immunity from prosecution applies only to the President, the Vice President, sitting governors and their deputies.”

Uwujaren added that the case against Fayose, who is expected to take over as Governor of Ekiti State in October, had made substantial progress as the commission had called two witnesses to testify in the case.

Uwujaren also said that the issue of whether the case against the governor-elect would be withdrawn or not when he takes over as governor was a matter for the court to decide.

“It is the court that would decide whether the case would be discontinued or not; all arguments will be canvassed in court and it is the court that would decide,” he said.